This thesis deals with selected works by the author Philip Roth and their use of the figure of the ‘suffering Jew’. It aims to give the reader an insight in how understanding Roth’s treatment of the Jewish character can help fully enjoy and grasp Roth’s writing. An overview of the most important incidents of Jewish (literary) history is given. Connected to this is the discussion of Roth’s own life as well as his struggle with critics mistaking his fiction for fact. This thesis attempts to clarify certain issues that might otherwise be falsely understood. When concerning oneself with the selected works by Roth, it becomes obvious that every Jewish character is influenced by his ethnicity. Roth’s characters’ lives are dictated by their Jewishness, no matter how individually different they might be. This thesis shows how Roth’s characters grapple with their unique history in diverse ways. In order to fully appreciate Roth’s work, one cannot but concern oneself with the issue of Jewishness. This thesis aims to alleviate the reading of Roth’s work to some extent by discussing the most important issues, trying to prevent readers from misjudging Roth and his books. It concentrates on four key issues related to Jewishness, namely the Holocaust, Jewish wit, oppression and the Jewish family. Each of these respective issues is discussed using examples from selected works by Roth.